The Delaware ledger. (Newark, Del.) 1879-19??, 1887-04-02
TheMaSterBlacksmith
BY JOHN y. DlCKIE.

it from the turn of his lips. They
we're Il very ordinary pair indeed
when in repose, which, to tell the
exact truth, was not often but this
morning they We're puckered up in
the most comical manner, wrinkling
his ruddy cheeks and giving his
whole physiognomy distorted and
distressed appearance painful to be-
hold. But he was an excellent
whistler. OF that there was not the
smallest doubt Clear. resonant,
trilling up and down the may laby-
rinths Of two octaves with never II
false note his hands in his pockets,
his tattered straw hat thrown back
on his curly head, his sturdy feet,
brown and bare, kicking little cloud
of dust in the road which wound
along the base of Il stony hillside al
most at Il white heat beneath the
rays of the MONDAY sun.
Suddenly the music ceased Evi-
IDENTITY our musician had whistled
himself out Of IA brown study into
some sort of a decision, for he stop
ped, picked up a pebble, and tossed
it over with jerk.
Yes, I'll do it. don't like it,
but she'll never find it out I'm
pretty near wore out thinkin fore
and thinkin' agin' and heavin' first
one side and then t'othcr. But it's
over with at last, and amt | glad of
it, thought"
With quickened footsteps he now
turned to the right and ascended
the hill, entering small cottage sur
rounded by a well kept lawn, bor-
dered by a choice collection of annu-
al Towering plants, now in the
hcighth of their beauty.
well mother to slender
pale-faced woman who stood at an
ironing table-"Ive decided. It's
all right. Gadford's got me.
Thought it all over just as you said.
I'll begin with him tomorrow if he
says so
YOU'RE sure now, my son very
sure it's your own will and choice?"
replied his mother, anxiously.
Dead sure" returned the lad
stoutly. "Of course blacksmith's
apprentice can't put on so many
high-toned airs as if he was studyin'
medicine but that amt anything,
you knows it?"
Have you ever put on any airs,
Jerry, or have you desired to?" an
swcred the good woman laughing.
"Fo, no, Of course not "a little
impatiently. But in the eyes of
other folks, you know, Doctor At
man would-would sound more
digniied-likc than Jerry Altman,
blacksmith'-wouldn't it, now?'
THE trade your father followed,
and the reputation he earned as a
good workman and an honest man.
returned the widow with sparkling
eyes, sounded as well in the ears of
this community as that Of DR.. Field,
who has so kindly offered to take
you in his office. You might make
an excellent physician--that remain
to be proven but as Il blacksmith
you are sure of success from the
start.
"Oh, yes, any one can learn that
trade, retorted Jerry, little bitterly
so much so, he stroye to disguise the
tone with feeble whistle.
by no MEANS returned Mrs. At
man, quickly. Master blacksmiths
are rare. TO shoe n horse well is in
itself an art Why not begin with
the determination of becoming an
artist in iron? You inherit your
fathers ta.ents. Don't be ashamed
Of them. Remember, my son, you
need not, if you will not, remain
chained to the forge for life" "
Jerry sprang to his feet with a
shining face and tossed his hat across
the room. God bless you for say
ing that mother. II ] am man
enough To make the chain ! can
cut the links when | want to, can't
/! Hurrah hurrah! tiadford for
ever
Blakcton was Il small village nest
ling among the hills in the southern
part of Ohio
Among the many institutions Of
this village, which gave it name and
fame throughout the country, was Il
long, low, rambling structure, black
with the smoke of fifty years. Here
the fires in two forges were constant
ly ablaze, and the merry music of
hammer and anvil could he heard ut